A grant from the National Science Foundation went to George Washington University to police so-called misinformation and harassment online.
The grant, which began in September 2022, allocated $5 million to GWU to address “the links between two significant problems impacting trust in contemporary communications systems: (1) The broad and rapid spread of misinformation and (2) abuse and harassment directed at members of expert communities,” <a href="https://www.usaspending.gov/award/ASST_NON_2230683_4900" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the grant summary says</a>.
“Misinformation-driven harassment campaigns have particularly large impacts on those at the forefront of efforts to accurately inform the public, including journalists, scientists, and public health officials,” the grant continues. “As a result, this harassment undermines confidence in pivotal sources of knowledge and reduces expert participation in the information ecosystem.”
The grant provides no examples of what “misinformation” needs to be corrected, what “harassment” took place, or even which “experts” were being harassed.
Given the timing of the grant, it is likely that the “misinformation” being targeted was the same “misinformation” the Biden administration warned against: Conservatives pointing out facts with which the Left disagrees. For example, for years the idea that the COVID-19 virus escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China was considered misinformation, yet now it is the dominating theory about where the virus originated. Combatting misinformation has always been less about actual misinformation and more about censorship.
In November, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-admin-spent-267m-on-grants-mentioning-misinformation-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the Biden administration spent at least $267 million on research grants to combat “misinformation,” but the administration itself <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mary-poppins-of-disinformation-returns-with-new-group-to-defend-disinformation-industry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promoted</a> misinformation.
Likewise, “harassment” has also meant criticism of “experts” anointed by the Left – who also agree with Leftist policies such as endless masking, rather than the doctors who spoke out against such policies.
A Daily Wire inquiry to George Washington University went unanswered prior to press time.
The grant to GWU went to creating “a socio-technical system that provides real-time support to experts experiencing online harassment” and would focus on “journalists” in the beginning, but expand to others.
The system would include: “(1) personalized assistance with digital safety and security, (2) support monitoring and reporting abuse, and (3) help identifying and building a community care system.”
That community care system would be “[g]rounded in best practices from trauma-informed care,” which has also been weaponized in certain situations. For example, colleges and universities use “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/junk-science-behind-trauma-informed-investigations-ashe-schow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trauma-informed care</a>” to insist women claiming to be the victims of sexual assault are telling the truth because they exhibit the actions of some other women who have been victims. That translates into absurd levels of belief, including insisting that women who lie about details of the alleged encounter or continue to send loving messages to their alleged attacker are only doing so out of trauma.

Joe Biden

Biden Admin Gave University $5 Million To Combat ‘Misinformation’ And Harassment of ‘Experts’

Biden Administration

George Washington University

Misinformation

U.S.

Pro-Hamas activists at the George Washington University Encampment, who had previously <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art/2024/05/03/power-putting-george-washington-kaffiyeh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defaced</a> the George Washington statue on the campus with a keffiyeh and a Palestinian flag, projected flames onto the American flag with incendiary messages condemning the United States.
Those messages included, “Gaza lights the spark that will set the empire ablaze,” “Long live the Student Intifada,” “Down with the Settler-State,” “Glory to the Martyrs of Palestine,” and one that quoted the notorious Gaza Health Ministry’s claims about the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza: “Stained with the Blood of 44,000 Palestinians.”
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Other messages included
&quot;Long live the Student Intifada&quot;
&quot;Down with the Settler-State&quot;
&quot;Glory to the Martyrs of Palestine&quot;
&quot;Stained with the Blood of 44,000 Palestinians&quot; <a href="https://t.co/MMUD2RJTiv">pic.twitter.com/MMUD2RJTiv</a>
&mdash; Stu (@thestustustudio) <a href="https://twitter.com/thestustustudio/status/1788041877792374936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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“For days, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Metropolitan Police Department had resisted pressure to clear the demonstration and said peaceful protests were allowed,” NBC Washington <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-police-clear-out-george-washington-u-protest-encampment/3611269/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted</a>.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser finally ordered the D.C. police to clear the encampment — which had been initiated as far back as April 25 — early Wednesday morning after she had been asked to speak at a congressional hearing.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise noted, “It shouldn’t have taken the threat of a Congressional hearing for DC Mayor Bowser to finally allow DC Police to respond to George Washington University’s call for them to clear the anti-Semitic and unlawful encampments. It should’ve been done on Day 1.”
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It shouldn’t have taken the threat of a Congressional hearing for DC Mayor Bowser to finally allow DC Police to respond to George Washington University’s call for them to clear the anti-Semitic and unlawful encampments. It should’ve been done on Day 1. <a href="https://t.co/2J5LzR58wr">https://t.co/2J5LzR58wr</a>
&mdash; Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveScalise/status/1788199257524072933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-KY) stated, “Following the Metropolitan Police Department finally clearing out the unlawful encampment on GW&#8217;s campus, I am very pleased to announce that the hearing with Mayor Bowser has been canceled. I had a good conversation with Mayor Bowser: I thanked her for finally clearing the trespassers off the GW Campus. It was unfortunate the situation at GW forced the Oversight Committee to act; however it was apparent that the DC police force was not going to do their job. Therefore, after meeting with GW leadership and touring the encampment, we decided to hold a public hearing to get answers as to why the Mayor would not uphold the law. I am pleased that the potential Oversight hearing led to swift action by Mayor Bowser and action by Mayor Bowser and MPD Chief Smith. We will continue to hold D.C. officials accountable to ensure our nation&#8217;s capital is safe for all.&#8221;
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🚨Following the Metropolitan Police Department finally clearing out the unlawful encampment on GW’s campus, I am very pleased to announce that the hearing with DC Mayor Bowser has been canceled.<a href="https://twitter.com/GOPoversight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GOPoversight</a> will continue to hold DC officials accountable.
Statement below.👇 <a href="https://t.co/IVkgdktwwr">pic.twitter.com/IVkgdktwwr</a>
&mdash; Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepJamesComer/status/1788193279416160690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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GWU-Gaza-encampment-continues-in-ts-12th-day

George Washington University Pro-Hamas Activists Project Flames Onto American Flag

American Flag

Pro-Hamas

Protests

A House hearing that was set to feature D.C. Democratic Mayor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/muriel-bowser" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Muriel Bowser</a> testifying about the response to an anti-Israel protest encampment at George Washington University has been canceled after police made dozens of arrests at the site on Wednesday.
&#8220;Following the Metropolitan Police Department finally clearing out the unlawful encampment on GW’s campus, I am very pleased to announce that the hearing with Mayor Bowser has been canceled,&#8221; House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepJamesComer/status/1788193279416160690" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> just hours before the event had been scheduled to take place on Capitol Hill.
&#8220;I had a good conversation with Mayor Bowser. I thanked her for finally clearing the trespassers off the GW Campus. It was unfortunate the situation at GW forced the Oversight Committee to act; however it was apparent that the DC police force was not going to do their job,&#8221; Comer added.
Comer and other House Republicans visited George Washington University last week and <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/release/oversight-committee-republicans-dc-officials-must-take-action-against-pro-hamas-camp-and-restore-the-rule-of-law%EF%BF%BC/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called</a> on Bowser and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to clear out the encampment of protesters after D.C. police <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/04/26/dc-police-george-washington-university-protests/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejected a request</a> from university officials to crack down on the demonstration.
The hearing on Wednesday was <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/oversight-of-d-c-s-response-to-unlawful-activity-and-antisemitism/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">meant to conduct oversight</a> on the city&#8217;s response to &#8220;unlawful activity and anti-Semitism,&#8221; but plans changed when police<a href="https://twitter.com/Joy7News/status/1788142267615613300" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> moved in</a> on the encampment in the early morning and made at least 33 arrests — with authorities <a href="https://apnews.com/article/campus-protests-george-washington-encampment-eac5c1cc396551bee1b110b48a94aefd">citing</a> a &#8220;gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest&#8221; on campus.
&#8220;After meeting with GW leadership and touring the encampment, we decided to hold a public hearing to get answers as to why the Mayor would not uphold the law,&#8221; Comer said. &#8220;I am pleased that the potential Oversight hearing led to swift action by Mayor Bowser and MPD Chief [Pamela] Smith. We will continue to hold D.C. officials accountable to ensure our nation’s capital is safe for all.&#8221;
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The GOP-led House has engaged in a multi-committee effort to combat anti-Semitism on university campuses after protests in response to the Israel-Hamas war sprung up at colleges across the country. Last week, the chamber passed an anti-Semitism definition bill meant to guide enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws for educational programs.
In response to the hearing on the GW protest encampment being cancelled, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveScalise/status/1788199257524072933" target="_blank" rel="noopener">declared</a> on X, &#8220;It shouldn’t have taken the threat of a Congressional hearing for DC Mayor Bowser to finally allow DC Police to respond to George Washington University’s call for them to clear the anti-Semitic and unlawful encampments. It should’ve been done on Day 1.&#8221;

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser

House Oversight Cancels Hearing With D.C. Mayor After GW Protest Arrests

Anti-Semitism

Congress

House Oversight Committee

Muriel Bowser

Politics

Washington D.C.

Pro-Palestinian protesters defaced a statue of George Washington on the campus of George Washington University in Washington, D.C. on Monday.
The statue was draped with a Palestinian flag and covered in stickers, and a black and white scarf was wrapped around its neck.
The stickers read, “End the Genocide Free Palestine,” “The Students United Will Never Be Divided,” and “Anti-Fascist Action.” The statue&#8217;s face is covered by a pink sticker reading, “Rise Love Resist.”
&#8220;Genocidal Warmongering University,&#8221; was spray-painted on the base of the statue.
A second George Washington statue depicting the president riding a horse also appears to have been defaced during the protests.
&#8220;Free Gaza&#8221; was spray-painted on the base along with, &#8220;DC stands for liberation.&#8221;
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Protesters have draped a Palestinian flag around a statue of George Washington on the GWU campus in DC.
“Genocidal Warmongering University” is written in paint on the base of the statue. <a href="https://t.co/ks3H9HuRZl">pic.twitter.com/ks3H9HuRZl</a>
&mdash; Virginia Allen (@Virginia_Allen5) <a href="https://twitter.com/Virginia_Allen5/status/1785000867294261751?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Sent from <a href="https://twitter.com/GWtweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GWtweets</a>: Protesters have defaced the statue of George Washington at the edge of campus. <a href="https://t.co/tWW2LDJ8Py">pic.twitter.com/tWW2LDJ8Py</a>
&mdash; Zach Kessel (@zach_kessel) <a href="https://twitter.com/zach_kessel/status/1784615007080100068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The pro-Palestinian protests began on Thursday and stretched into their sixth day on Tuesday.
Protesters have set up an encampment on the lawn of the university where the statue is located. The demonstrators pitched dozens of tents including food and medical tents. They also knocked down metal barricades put up by police and threw them into a large pile, sticking signs and Palestinian flags on top.
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👀A quick tour of the pro-Palestine encampment on the campus of George Washington University in D.C. <a href="https://t.co/rHrj1j5AG1">pic.twitter.com/rHrj1j5AG1</a>
&mdash; Virginia Allen (@Virginia_Allen5) <a href="https://twitter.com/Virginia_Allen5/status/1784999576790880435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;This group of approximately 200 protesters from across the DMV, including professional organizers, activists, and university students, have joined the unauthorized encampment on our campus,&#8221; George Washington University <a href="https://www.fox5dc.com/news/gwu-protest-organizers-vow-to-stay-on-campus-until-demands-are-met" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Sunday in a statement.
&#8220;This is an egregious violation of community trust and goes far beyond the boundaries of free expression and the right to protest. The university will use every avenue available to ensure those involved are held accountable for their actions,&#8221; the university said.
Final exams begin next week for the university, and graduation is scheduled for May 19.
Anti-Israel protests have roiled college campuses across the country over the last two weeks. In many cases, the protesters are calling on the schools to divest from investments that support Israel.
The protesters at George Washington University are also <a href="https://wtop.com/dc/2024/04/gw-university-enters-sixth-day-of-israel-hamas-war-protests/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">demanding</a> the school lift a suspension against a pro-Palestinian student group.
Dozens of protesters have been arrested across multiple campuses, including at Northeastern University in Boston, Emerson College in Boston, Emory University in Atlanta, Virginia Tech University, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Mary Washington in Virginia.
The protests have been particularly tumultuous at Columbia University in New York City, although the tensions have been more between the students and Columbia&#8217;s administration.
Protesters at Columbia took over a building on Tuesday morning, prompting school administrators to threaten to expel them.

Palestinian flag and Keffiye are wrapped around the statue

George Washington Statue Defaced By GWU’s Pro-Palestinian Protesters

George Washington Statue Defaced By GWU's Pro-Palestinian Protesters

American Universities

College

Education

George Washington

Israel

Palestinians

Protesters

City officials in Washington, D.C., said a new homeless shelter at a former <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/george-washington-university" target="_blank" rel="noopener">George Washington University</a> dorm will be delayed at least six months amid a lawsuit from residents of the area.
The homeless shelter at the vacant former dorm will now open in the spring or summer rather than this year, officials with the city&#8217;s Department of Human Services <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/16/dc-homeless-shelter-george-washington-university-dorm-delay/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Wednesday.
George Washington University sold the building, called the Aston, to the D.C. government for $27.5 million in August. The vacant former dorm is a 67,000-square-foot building at 1129 New Hampshire Avenue NW in the nation&#8217;s capital.
One reason for the shelter project&#8217;s delay is contract negotiations with a services provider for the shelter, officials <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/16/dc-homeless-shelter-george-washington-university-dorm-delay/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The Washington Post.
Meanwhile though, the project has not been popular with residents.
A group called the West End DC Community Association filed a lawsuit last month to block the homeless shelter, arguing that the city&#8217;s plan to offer medical services at the shelter violates zoning rules. The lawsuit claims D.C. “ignored and/or intentionally circumvented” its own zoning laws by planning to build a medical clinic in a residential zone.
“There has been a lawsuit, a federal complaint. So that has added to our plan, having to respond to things that maybe we did not anticipate having to respond to. But nevertheless, we have experienced some delays,” the city&#8217;s Human Services chief of staff David Ross said Wednesday night at a meeting hosted by the local Advisory Neighborhood Commission.
The shelter will offer medical services for people with chronic conditions such as liver disease, but the shelter is “is absolutely not a medical facility,” Ross said.
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“No needles, no drawn blood, no procedures, no anesthesia, so forgive us for being a little loose of the lip by saying medical because that’s what is conjured up,” said Anthony Newman, deputy administrator for the city&#8217;s Human Services&#8217; family services administration.
The same community group previously filed another lawsuit against the sale of the building in July, but withdrew that suit once the sale was completed.
Washington, D.C., has struggled with rising homelessness in recent months.
Homelessness had been declining in the D.C. metro region since 2019, but it rose 18% this year to nearly 9,000 homeless people, <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/05/11/dc-homeless-count-how-many" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to a May report by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Other cities are facing a more dire homeless crisis.
On the West Coast, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/los-angeles-homelessness-up-10-2023-count-shows">all</a> seen a rise in homelessness in recent years.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 23: The George Washington University resi

D.C. Delays Homeless Shelter At Former George Washington University Dorm Amid Lawsuit

Homeless

Homelessness

Social Issues

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/education" target="_blank" rel="noopener">George Washington University</a> was slammed on social media on Wednesday after a small group of students projected a genocidal message against Jews on the side of one of the school&#8217;s buildings this week.
The Hill <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4274413-gw-students-project-anti-israel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the message was projected onto the building in Washington, D.C., by the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
The incident comes after Palestinian terrorists murdered more than 1,400 Israelis earlier this month in unprecedented terrorist attacks where innocent civilians were raped, beheaded, and burned alive.
The far-left group projected the messages onto the Gelman Library on Tuesday night before police moved in and shut them down.
The messages said, &#8220;Glory to our martyrs,&#8221; &#8220;Divestment from Zionist genocide now,&#8221; and &#8220;Free Palestine from the river to the sea.&#8221;
All three messages are genocidal toward the Jewish race as &#8220;Glory to our martyrs&#8221; refers to glorifying the Hamas terrorists who committed the attacks. &#8220;Divestment from Zionist genocide now&#8221; refers to the anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel — the end goal of which is the destruction of the state of Israel. &#8220;Free Palestine from the river to the sea&#8221; is a common anti-Semitic message that also refers to the elimination of the state of Israel.
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George Washington University &#8211; students are projecting horrifying messages onto a school library building glorifying Hamas terrorists that beheaded babies, raped teenage girls, and murdered 1400+ people. 
We call on President <a href="https://twitter.com/PresidentofGW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PresidentofGW</a> to immediately expel those involved.… <a href="https://t.co/tecz0R7zF2">pic.twitter.com/tecz0R7zF2</a>
&mdash; StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) <a href="https://twitter.com/StopAntisemites/status/1716994962703724728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The pro-terrorist messages received intense backlash across the political spectrum on X from top U.S. lawmakers.
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&#8220;As an alumni of @GWtweets they should launch an investigation,&#8221; said Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL). &#8220;I look forward to seeing the University statement on this.&#8221;
&#8220;This is reprehensible,&#8221; said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).
&#8220;These are genocidal messages displayed on a building at George Washington University,&#8221; said Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT). &#8220;If the students responsible for these messages aren’t severely punished by GWU, something is terribly wrong. Genocide isn’t hip, cute, or in any way acceptable. GWU—do the right thing NOW!&#8221;
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) said, &#8220;Every American should be disgusted by the scene at George Washington University last night. Advocating for the mass genocide of the Jewish people should be a threat that is treated with the highest degree of concern by GWU and DC law enforcement.&#8221;
&#8220;Let me guess, when these people start smashing up Jewish businesses, homes, and synagogues, they’ll be defended for free speech and just breaking a few windows,&#8221; said Garry Kasparov, Chairman of the Human Rights Foundation and World Chess Champion. &#8220;If you don’t think incitement to violence left unchecked leads to violence, you haven’t lived through as many pogroms as I have. The belief that authorities will turn a blind eye or even condone your violence is a green light, even when mistaken.&#8221;
&#8220;Do not excuse these calls for destroying Israel and killing Jews as if they are just dumb students in Che Guevara shirts,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;Hamas committed one of the most horrific terror attacks in memory just a few weeks ago. Endorsing their genocidal creed is abhorrent.&#8221;
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Do not excuse these calls for destroying Israel and killing Jews as if they are just dumb students in Che Guevara shirts. Hamas committed one of the most horrific terror attacks in memory just a few weeks ago. Endorsing their genocidal creed is abhorrent.
&mdash; Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kasparov63/status/1717028002607902812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2023</a></blockquote>
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George Washington Law School student Tahmineh Dehbozorgi posted a statement from the school on X that said once the school became aware of the projections, they intervened to take them down.
&#8220;The statements made by these individuals in no way reflect the views of the university,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;We are reviewing this incident and will take any appropriate steps with respect to the individuals involved in accordance with university policies.&#8221;
&#8220;We recognize the distress, hurt, and pain this has caused for many members of our community,&#8221; the statement continued. &#8220;The university will continue to communicate with all members of its community about the support resources available during this difficult time. President Granberg will be communicating directly with the university community on this matter.&#8221;
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The George Washington University released a statement condemning unauthorized projection. 
I think the school needs to take a much harsher stance and expel these pro-terrorism trespassers. <a href="https://t.co/I6Ilw28S7f">https://t.co/I6Ilw28S7f</a> <a href="https://t.co/SQ2xbYRKD1">pic.twitter.com/SQ2xbYRKD1</a>
&mdash; Tahmineh Dehbozorgi (@DeTahmineh) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeTahmineh/status/1717211912436400519?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/desantis-orders-florida-colleges-to-shut-down-pro-palestinian-student-groups-that-expressed-support-for-hamas">ordered</a> two state universities in his state this week to send notices to chapters of the same student group informing them that they must deactivate their chapters because they allegedly broke Florida laws about terrorism.
In response to the Palestinian Islamic terrorist attacks, “National Students for Justice in Palestine (National SJP) released a ‘toolkit’ which refers to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood as ‘the resistance’ and unequivocally states: ‘Palestinian students in exile are PART of this movement, not in solidarity with this movement,'&#8221; said Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System of Florida, in a letter to the University of Florida and the University of South Florida.
The letter noted that under Florida law, it is a felony to “knowingly provide material support . . . to a designated foreign terrorist organization. . .” Hamas is designated by the Untied States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
“Here, National SJP has affirmatively identified it is part of the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood—a terrorist led attack,” the letter continued, later adding: “Based on the National SJP’s support of terrorism, in consultation with Governor DeSantis, the student chapters must be deactivated.”

2010 George Washington University Commencement

George Washington University Blasted After Students Project Genocidal Message Against Jews

Hamas

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/george-washington-university" target="_blank" rel="noopener">George Washington University</a> is getting a new nickname after students complained that the “Colonials” mascot was offensive.
The university, located in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/washington-d-c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington, D.C.</a>, announced that its new moniker will be the “Revolutionaries” after months of debate and complaints that the term “Colonials” was “extremely offensive” to the “nation and world at large.”
&#8220;This is an exciting day for the George Washington University Revolutionaries,&#8221; <a href="https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/its-revolutionaries?fbclid=IwAR13-QoIca7ZJ26UozSZrQwobQghrzea5I6CPD8jS5HgRtE68xw2PbRmjb0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Mark Wrighton, the president of the school. &#8220;I am very grateful for the active engagement of our community throughout the development of the new moniker. This process was truly driven by our students, faculty, staff and alumni, and the result is a moniker that broadly reflects our community—and our distinguished and distinguishable GW spirit.&#8221;
The term “Colonials” was chosen in 1926 and referenced many of those in the original 13 colonies who <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/american-revolution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fought for independence</a> from the British from 1775-1783. Other names floated as replacements included Ambassadors, Blue Fog, and Sentinels. 
An announcement video featuring school alumnus and NBC host <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/chuck-todd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chuck Todd</a> focused on the school’s commitment to making change around the world. 
“We are a truly global community, shaping the future of the world every day. We are always pushing, always learning. We are excited by new people, new experiences, new ideas, and new ways of thinking. We are in the center of power where our energy and drive fuels Washington, D.C., and beyond. We are dedicated to changing the world for the better,” a narrator said in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=964422694894332&amp;ref=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a>, which featured footage of Vice President Kamala Harris at the university. 
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The push to change the name began in 2018 when more than 500 students submitted a petition linking the school&#8217;s mascot to “systemic oppression.”
“The use of ‘Colonials,’ no matter how innocent the intention, is received as extremely offensive by not only students of the University, but the nation and world at large. The historically, negatively-charged figure of Colonials has too deep a connection to colonization and glorifies the act of systemic oppression,” the students <a href="https://www.sa.gwu.edu/gw-mascot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. 
The school said it received more than 47,000 responses during its search for a new name. “To have 47,000 points of feedback from the GW community is a testament to the pride people have in this institution, and we are proud to offer them a new moniker that will propel us as we move ahead in our third century,” said Vice President for Communications and Marketing Ellen Moran.
George Washington University was chartered in 1821 by Congress.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FEB 17 VCU at George Washington

George Washington University Unveils New Nickname After Complaints Of ‘Extremely Offensive’ Moniker

George Washington University Unveils New Nickname After Complaints Of 'Extremely Offensive' Moniker

American Revolution

Political Correctness

In January, the organization StandWithUs filed a <a href="https://online.flippingbook.com/view/536430327/">complaint</a> against George Washington University (GW) alleging that psychology professor Lara Sheehi repeatedly harassed and demeaned the Jewish students who were required to take her class. When those students reported her actions, the University retaliated by instituting baseless disciplinary proceedings against them. 
Last week, GW released a <a href="https://president.gwu.edu/summary-findings-independent-investigation-crowell-moring-llp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">self-serving statement</a> purporting to exonerate themselves, based on an investigative report that they still refuse to share. The president of the university did, however, share a brief “summary” of the findings, and it is incredible just how many offensive things they could fit in so few paragraphs. The exculpatory rubber stamp from a firm that specializes in defending universities from civil rights complaints is miserable for three reasons: First, it contains blatant falsehoods. Second, it is intentionally misleading. Third, it ignores any and all application of the relevant laws and standards. 
In terms of outright lies, the summary claims that &#8220;[n]o student-interviewees recalled Dr. Sheehi denying that antisemitism exists or denying the students’ lived experiences.&#8221; This is patently untrue and some of the interviewees have already come forward to say it isn’t so. The law firm also allegedly “found” that Sheehi’s wildly antisemitic tweets were only briefly visible to the public. Again, even if this would excuse them that assertion is just false, and a mere five minutes of cursory internet research <a href="https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/diversity-professor-accused-of-jew-hatred-and-advocating-violence-against-israel/">make clear</a> that they were available to the public for years, and were taken down only after the complaint was filed. The firm also “found” that no students interviewed were aware of any of the tweets during the course- but again, according to the students themselves, this is not true. The level of abject carelessness in investigating even the simplest of claims calls into question the entirety of the actual report— if, of course, a full report really exists. 
Next, the school’s statement completely misrepresents the heart of the complaint. <a href="https://president.gwu.edu/summary-findings-independent-investigation-crowell-moring-llp">It says</a> that, “[M]ost of the concerns expressed in the complaint arose from the comments of a guest speaker at a ‘brown bag’ event to which students were invited, but not required, to attend.” In fact, while many of the concerns did arise in some sense of the word from the antisemitic comments of that speaker, the actual complaint is focused on the behavior of the professor, who repeated and defended those statements in class, all while shutting down any opposing viewpoints, stifling discussion, and distorting the students’ statements to paint them (the victims of the discrimination) as the “real” aggressors.
In perhaps the most insidious revelation of why this report was poisoned from the start, the summary then explains that “Underlying much of the discourse that arose in the class is the issue of what is appropriately defined as antisemitism – that is, whether structural critiques of the State of Israel, including actions by the Israeli government, constitute antisemitism. This issue is being debated in college campuses across the country, and in many other arenas. SWU and a few of the students in the class, advocated for an expansive view of the definition of antisemitism, which, if accepted in the university environment, could infringe on free speech principles and academic freedom.” This is a sickening example of deceptive gaslighting which needs to be called out.
There is no allegation whatsoever in the entirety of the complaint that structural critiques of the State of Israel, including actions by the Israeli government, constitute antisemitism. Sheehi harassed and demeaned innocent American Jews, who identify as Zionists, because of her hatred for Israel and for Zionists. Criticizing Israel is not antisemitic. Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the Jewish State that you don’t like is antisemitic. And conflating the two to gain sympathy and pretend that when Jews complain of antisemitism it is really just a way of trying to shut down critiques of Israel is the by now classic move of the modern antisemite. GW should be utterly ashamed. This is not about the professor’s speech at all. It is about her conduct.
Of course, the statement does not elaborate on its feeble attempt at speciously linking what Sheehi did to academic freedom and principles of free speech— because both vague assertions are wrong. As the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit succinctly explained in Bonnell v. Lorenzo (2001), &#8220;While a professor&#8217;s rights to academic freedom and freedom of expression are paramount in the academic setting, they are not absolute to the point of compromising a student&#8217;s right to learn in a hostile-free environment.&#8221; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits institutions of higher education from creating a discriminatory or hostile environment for any student on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Per the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights&#8217; guidance, speech crosses over from protected territory into harassing conduct when it is &#8220;sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to interfere with or limit the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a [university].&#8221; That is what is alleged to have happened here— along with retaliatory conduct. The students could not get the full benefit of the class, particularly the portion that involved self-introspection with the teacher’s guidance, because they knew the professor was hostile toward their identity. They could not safely engage openly and honestly in their journals with the professor because they were consistently gaslighted, mocked and dismissed. And despite all this, when they complained, the university sent all the students – 20% of the cohort – right back to class- and then punished them for complaining. (Of course, the statement completely whitewashes that part too: GW&#8217;s stated position is that the very students who complained simply needed “remediation” because they just so happened to have suddenly developed “a deficiency in a skill or subject matter area.” The faculty would not tell them what the deficiency was, but required them to “admit” the “harm” they caused when they spoke about antisemitism or risk a permanent disciplinary notation in their file.)    
For the record, the “expansive” definition of antisemitism alluded to in the statement is the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, the only near universally accepted definition of antisemitism that there is, or ever has been. It has been adopted by over 1,100 governments and other entities worldwide, including 30 states and the federal government, in both the State Department and the Department of Education. It is true that some anti-Zionist groups do not like the fact that the definition includes helpful examples for when anti-Israel rhetoric crosses the line into antisemitism, but in its desperate and pathetic attempt to graft onto that “debate” and lend some legitimacy to their position, GW ignores the fact that what Sheehi is alleged to have done does not even fall under the “controversial” part of IHRA. Which leads directly to the next point:
Even if the law firm and GW do not like the IHRA definition, they do not get to decide that they will use their own undefined and undisclosed metric to determine what is and is not antisemitic. The IHRA definition is what all schools that take any federal funds are affirmatively required to proactively consider when formulating policies to create a safe environment on campus. Whether GW likes it or not, the IHRA definition is the one against which educational institutions are evaluated by the federal government when it investigates claims of discriminatory conduct. In that light, their statement reads like an admission: if they are willing to allow students to be harassed, with conduct motivated by intent that would be considered antisemitic under IHRA, then they best be prepared to lose their funding.
Dr. Mark Goldfeder, Esq. is Director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Many Universities in the D.C. region have announced that the Fall 2020 semester will be fully online.

University’s Investigation Into Antisemitic Remarks Exonerates Controversial Professor, Gaslights Jewish Students

University’s Investigation Into Antisemitic Remarks Exonerates Professor Leaves Jewish Students With Many Questions

Readers Pass

Universities

A riotous brawl broke out at a major women’s college basketball game after one player grabbed a rival by the hair.
The women’s basketball teams from Texas Christian University and George Washington University faced off Monday night, and in the second quarter, TCU&#8217;s 22-year-old senior Bella Cravens, 6’3”, leaped high in the air to grab an offensive rebound. When she landed, GWU’s Essence Brown grabbed Craven’s long ponytail with her left hand, causing Cravens to drop the ball, which Brown then grabbed and started downcourt. Play was stopped, but then Cravens charged Brown, precipitating a melee in which multiple players joined.
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Oh my goodness we just had punches thrown between GW and TCU oh my goodness it’s getting SPICY <a href="https://t.co/c3SKCNBtSS">pic.twitter.com/c3SKCNBtSS</a>
&mdash; Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) <a href="https://twitter.com/n1a2v3y4/status/1599932561761112065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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It all started with an accidental hair pull and just escalated from there. My goodness. <a href="https://t.co/4HIBOqablN">pic.twitter.com/4HIBOqablN</a>
&mdash; Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) <a href="https://twitter.com/n1a2v3y4/status/1599933404728156160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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“I honestly didn&#8217;t see the initial moment, so I can&#8217;t really say what it was,” TCU&#8217;s head coach, Raegan Pebley, <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/tcu-george-washington-players-ejected-after-wild-brawl-sparked-by-hair-pull-204222069.html">said</a>. “Like I said, what my team is hearing is, it doesn&#8217;t matter who started it, no matter what happened. The way to respond, that&#8217;s a life lesson. You have to respond the correct way. You can control that element, and that is what I know for sure we did not do well.”
“We never want to be a part of anything like that. It doesn&#8217;t matter to me one bit who started it, who said what, it doesn&#8217;t matter, we don&#8217;t ever want to be a part of anything like that,” Pebley stated in a post-game interview.
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Eight players were ejected from the game, five from GWU and three from TCU.
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After 18 minutes of stoppage, here’s the final carnage: <a href="https://t.co/5eOBfjPnaP">pic.twitter.com/5eOBfjPnaP</a>
&mdash; Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) <a href="https://twitter.com/n1a2v3y4/status/1599936637852524544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The director of WRGW sports, the student-run radio station of GWU, <a href="https://twitter.com/david_korn4/status/1599936522991841281">declared</a>, “The reason they are all getting ejected is that the altercation happened right in front of the GW bench so everyone who stood up is getting booted. This is a situation in which logic should apply, the team that didn&#8217;t instigate probably shouldn&#8217;t have their entire team ejected.”
“If this was baseball the game would be played under protest and it would be successfully appealed,” he claimed. “The refs stole this game from GW and did not understand the ejection rule. Hopefully they can pull off a miracle, but either way, this is a disgrace to college basketball.”
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If this was baseball the game would be played under protest and it would be successfully appealed. The refs stole this game from GW and did not understand the ejection rule. Hopefully they can pull off a miracle, but either way, this is a disgrace to college basketball. <a href="https://t.co/EkBbEIn8OS">https://t.co/EkBbEIn8OS</a>
&mdash; David Korn (@david_korn4) <a href="https://twitter.com/david_korn4/status/1599941917416239104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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“Just got a chance to watch some footage and I’m absolutely stunned that George Washington WBB lost 5 players in a fight that was clearly started by TCU. They had players ejected for…holding their own teammates back? Either way, not a great look and a very perplexing outcome,” one sports commentator observed.
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Just got a chance to watch some footage and I’m absolutely stunned that George Washington WBB lost 5 players in a fight that was clearly started by TCU. 
They had players ejected for…holding their own teammates back? 
Either way, not a great look and a very perplexing outcome.
&mdash; Nathan Strauss (@NathanPStrauss) <a href="https://twitter.com/NathanPStrauss/status/1599969926936043520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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TCU won the game, 70-58.

High Angle View Of Ball On Table

Riotous Brawl Breaks Out In College Women’s Basketball Game After Hair Pull

Sports

Texas Christian University

Women's Basketball

George Washington University, apparently embarrassed about its time-honored nickname “Colonials,” is planning on dumping it in 2023.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
George Washington University, my alma mater, is removing the Colonials moniker because imbeciles at the university are afraid to tell idiot college kids and their woke allies, “No, you are all morons.” Enjoy: <a href="https://t.co/BvfaLImHk6">pic.twitter.com/BvfaLImHk6</a>
&mdash; Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClayTravis/status/1537205887307235334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Even though a survey of 7,300 students found them nearly evenly-split on the issue, with 44% finding the nickname offensive and 43% wanting to keep it, the university, chartered in 1821 by the United States Congress, is seemingly capitulating to political correctness.
“Both the board and special committee ultimately determined that given the division among the community about the moniker, it can no longer serve its purpose as a name that unifies,” the university said in a <a href="https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/gw-discontinue-use-colonials-moniker">statement</a> released on Wednesday.
Yet the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/colonials-patriots/bibliography.htm">National Park Service</a> has no problem using the term; with a section of their website dedicated to the history of “Colonials and Patriots.”
Officials of the university stressed the importance of “unity” as a reason for jettisoning the moniker; Board Chair Grace Speights said, “A moniker must unify our community, draw people together and serve as a source of pride.”
Christopher Alan Bracey, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, echoed, “Today, the moniker no longer does the work that a moniker should—namely, unifying the campus behind our academic and athletic institutional aspirations.”
“Not only do the sports teams use the name, but the university&#8217;s medical facility is the Colonial Health Center and meals and laundry are paid for in Colonial Cash,” <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10922095/George-Washington-University-drops-longtime-Colonials-nickname-deeming-term-offensive.html">The Daily Mail</a> noted.
In November 2019, the board created <a href="https://trustees.gwu.edu/task-force-naming">Task Force on Naming</a>; in July 2020 President Emeritus Thomas LeBlanc convened a <a href="https://president.gwu.edu/special-committee-colonials-moniker" aria-label="Special Committee on the Colonials Moniker; link opens in new window">Special Committee on the Colonials Moniker</a> to recommend whether to ditch the nickname.
“The committee sought to understand the history of the term Colonial, how Colonials was initially selected for the moniker, the harm caused by the moniker and affinity for and prominence of the moniker within the GW community,” the university’s statement read.
They cited George Washington himself, claiming, “According to history experts, George Washington himself firmly rejected the term ‘colonial’ in the few times he used it.”
The statement continued, “Research also found that the term ‘Colonials’ was not used during the 1607-1776 Colonial Era, and it did not become popular until the Colonial Revival period of the late 19th and 20th centuries.”
“While Colonials became GW’s moniker in 1926, the special committee determined that the moniker arose casually and haphazardly, lacking thoughtful university-wide consideration,” the statement added. “For opponents, Colonials means colonizers who stole land and resources from indigenous groups, killed or exiled Native peoples and introduced slavery into the colonies.”

Students At The George Washington University School Of Business

‘You All Are Morons’: George Washington University Dumps ‘Colonials’ Nickname

George Washington University To Remove 'Colonials' Nickname

Nickname

Apparently The Washington Post doesn&#8217;t have enough writers on staff because it turned to a university student to write an opinion piece.
&#8220;George Washington University needs a new name,&#8221; reads the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/05/09/george-washington-university-needs-new-name/?msclkid=3f9963bed0e511ec877258d6f7b17f93">headline</a> of the piece, written by Caleb Francois, a senior at the university in Washington, D.C.
&#8220;Racism has always been a problem at GW. At the university’s founding in 1821, enrollment was restricted to White men. In 1954, then-university president Marvin employed numerous efforts to preserve segregation, arguing for a &#8216;homogenous&#8217; group of White students,&#8221; Francois wrote, adding that &#8220;systemic racism and inequality [are] still present on campus.&#8221;
&#8220;In 1987, Black students organized to demand more visibility in a predominantly Black city where Black students were outnumbered by huge majorities. Today, with Black enrollment at about 10 percent, Black students on campus continue to struggle for community. Despite alleged efforts by administration to enhance diversity, the admissions office continues to fail to ensure a student body with adequate minority representation.&#8221;
Francois notes that the university has never had a black president and says &#8220;European studies and White perspectives are favored over Black perspectives.&#8221;
&#8220;These problems are rooted in systemic racism, institutional inequality and white supremacy. There are at least four ways the university could achieve progress: Decolonized university curriculum, increased Black enrollment, the renaming of the university and the selection of an African American President,&#8221; Francois wrote.
The writer finally gets around to George Washington, the first president of the United States. &#8220;Just blocks from the main campus is the Mount Vernon Campus, named for George Washington’s former slave plantation. Every day, hundreds of Black students walk on a campus named after an enslaver of men and study at a site named after dark parts of history. Such sites, among other locations and buildings, are touted as glorified mementos here at GW.&#8221;
Francois then takes aim at Winston Churchill, prime minister of Britain during World War II.
&#8220;The controversial Winston Churchill Library must go. The university’s contentious colonial moniker must go. Even the university’s name, mascot and motto — &#8216;Hail Thee George Washington&#8217; — must be replaced. The hypocrisy of GW in not addressing these issues is an example of how Black voices and Black grievances go ignored and highlights the importance of strong Black leadership.&#8221;
But Francois never targets the paper in which his opinion piece appeared &#8212; The Washington Post.
The founding father has been attacked before. In 2020, rioters burned an American flag on top of a statue of George Washington in Portland, Oregon.
“Some wrapped the statue’s head in an American flag and lit the flag on fire,” KOIN News <a href="https://www.koin.com/news/protests/portland-protests-black-lives-matter-blm-george-floyd-police-reform-racial-justice-demonstration-rally-march-day-21/">reported</a>. “Their numbers grew over the next hour until there were enough people to pull the statue to the ground. They quickly scattered.”
Joseph Curl has covered politics for 35 years, including 12 years as White House correspondent for a national newspaper. He was also the a.m. editor of the Drudge Report for four years. Send tips to josephcurl@dailywire.com and follow him on Twitter @josephcurl.

George Washington equestrian statue at Washington Circle, NW, near George Washington University, in early morning, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

Washington Post Opinion Piece Says George Washington University’s Name Is Racist

The Washington Post Opinion Says George Washington University Must Change Its Name Because Racism

Systemic Racism

Washington Post

Dissident Chinese artist Badiucao, known as the Chinese Banksy, released a collection of posters with a Beijing Olympics theme that showed the genocide and authoritarianism of the Chinese Communist Party. The images were spread about George Washington University’s campus.
One image depicted a figure skater slashing through the flower found on Hong Kong’s national flag, while another showed a curler watching the coronavirus slide down the ice. Yet another depicted a snowboarder riding a surveillance camera. In another, a biathlete points a rifle at a Uyghur prisoner’s head. Each poster has &#8220;Beijing 2022&#8221; emblazoned in the background.
Upon seeing the artwork, members of GW’s Chinese Students and Scholars Associations (CSSA) complained, claiming the posters were an “attack on the Chinese nation,” included “serious racist views” and amounted to “extremely vicious personal attacks on all international students,” <a href="https://spectatorworld.com/newsletter/gw-sides-ccp-dc-diary-02-07-22/">according to</a> The Spectator USA. The CSSA went on to demand the school “punish them severely.”
GW President Mark S. Wrighton issued a statement immediately siding with the complaining students and saying he was “personally offended by these posters”:
<blockquote>Please know that I am personally offended by these posters. I treasure the opportunity to work with talented people from all over the world, including China. Your reaching out to me directly is much appreciated, and we are working to have all of these offensive poster removed as soon as possible. I, too, am saddened by this terrible event and we will undertake an effort to determine who is responsible.</blockquote>
Badiucao, the artist, took to Twitter to call out Wrighton and demand “an explanation why exposing CCP’s abuse offends him.” Badiucao had previously explained that his posters have been seen around the world “from Miami streets to major news frontpage in Czech；from hundreds years old museum in Italy to Blockchian as #NFT.” Yes, he’s even created an NFT based on the designs.
The pushback was swift, leading to Wrighton walking back his message to the CSSA. In a statement released Monday, Wrighton said (emphasis added):
<blockquote>Last week, the university learned of posters on campus depicting images that alarmed some members of our community, and we began to receive a number of concerns through official university reporting channels that cited bias and racism against the Chinese community. I also received an email directly from a student who expressed concerns. 
At that time, and without more context on the origin or intent of the posters, I responded hastily to the student, writing that I, too, was concerned. University staff also responded to ensure the posters were removed. These responses were mistakes. Every member of the GW community should feel welcome and supported, but I should have taken more time to understand the entire situation before commenting.
I have since learned from our university’s scholars that the posters were designed by a Chinese-Australian artist, Badiucao, and they are a critique of China’s policies. Upon full understanding, I do not view these posters as racist; they are political statements. There is no university investigation underway, and the university will not take any action against the students who displayed the posters. 
I want to be very clear: I support freedom of speech—even when it offends people—and creative art is a valued way to communicate on important societal issues. I also support the many students and faculty at our university who are engaged in researching, and actively advocating against, all forms of discrimination, marginalization, and oppression.
Our university’s scholarship, research, and support for those among us who need it most are the reasons that this great institution has fulfilled its mission for more than 200 years. As we embark on our third century, I am committed to upholding our mission and ensuring our community has the support to continue this critical work. </blockquote>

ITALY-CHINA-ENTERTAINMENT-CENSORSHIP

George Washington University President Condemns Chinese Dissident Artist’s Artwork, Backtracks After Backlash

Beijing Olympics

China